Chapter 21
Zayd
“It is good to have you back, Lieutenant,” Strykr’s voice booms throughout the shuttle bay when I step off the ship. “It appears your mission was a success,” he adds when my officers escort the pack of alphas we apprehended on the pleasure planet, Tilopria, for kidnapping omegas.
“Not entirely, sir. They are all bonded,” I report, as I stand next to him, watching Willow and Angie greet the group of disheveled omegas exiting the ship.
“This is not good. Not good at all,” Strykr says.
“Will you uphold the Accord? Will you make an example of them?” I ask, genuinely unsure what his answer will be.
“What chaos will ensue if I do not?” He sounds defeated.
“Their deaths will mean freedom and justice for the omegas they wronged. I believe it is the right choice.” Executing them, diminishing our numbers, is not ideal.
However, letting them live, bonded with omegas they stole, the same way they tried stealing Layla from Sutton, would set a horrible example and undermine the Accord, the only thing keeping many alphas from going feral the same way these alphas did.
Many of them are growing impatient, waiting for the women to come to the Center, hoping they are a good match, and waiting for them to scent is taking a lot longer than any of us thought it would.
“What freedom?” Strykr challenges. “These poor omegas will always be prisoners of the trauma they suffered at the hands of alphas that are supposed to protect them. Do you honestly believe they will ever want to bond with another after what they went through?”
My heart twists. “With enough time and understanding…”
A growl from deep in Strykr’s chest silences me. “You think time and understanding will eventually lead Layla to bond with you?” Strykr draws a connection between points I had not even intended to make.
“I just do not think we should give up on them before giving them the much-needed time and distance from this horrific ordeal.”
“With that, I do agree, Lieutenant.” Strykr relaxes his stance and asks, “What is the next step?”
“Kydax will want to question the males. Gather any information he can. Find out if there are any more out there. Collect them. After we have exhausted them of information or they prove to be uncooperative, we can hold the tribunal, where their fates will be sealed.”
“Very good. Thank you, Lieutenant. You are dismissed.”
I turn to exit the shuttle bay, but do not even make it a full step before Strykr’s hand grips my shoulder.
“I understand your reasoning for inviting Layla’s husband back to the Center.
You needed to do what was necessary to keep your promise and protect your omega.
” He takes a measured breath before letting go of my shoulder and standing at his full height, showing his dominance as alpha leader.
“But she is not your omega. And though Sutton is not an alpha, he is Layla’s mate.
We speak of upholding the Accord. Sutton has expressed that he wishes to stay with Layla.
If he does, you will not challenge him.”
“Yes, sir,” I say without hesitation. However, I do not want to agree.
I do not wish to fight Sutton to the death to claim Layla, but I do not wish to give her up so easily.
I had a lot of time to think while on my mission, and I wonder if there is an option, with the discovery of Sutton’s designation, whatever it might be, we have not considered or accounted for. A compromise of sorts.
Before I share my thoughts with Strykr, I need to know how things went for Layla and Sutton while I was away.
And so, I take my leave and head for Layla’s room.